Virginia National Guard

Soldier’s musical improvisation helped maintain readiness for AIT
June 21, 2022 — The first musical instrument Spc. Jessica Tang learned to play was the piano. At four-years-old, she was encouraged to play by her grandmother, who taught elementary school in China before immigrating to the United States to help take care of Tang... MORE

Spc. Jessica Tang plays the flute with the 29th Division Band.

“Major of Saint Lô,” other Citadel cadets honored at D-Day Memorial
June 15, 2022 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and alumni from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, attended a memorial plaque dedication at the National D-Day Memorial June 4, 2022, in Bedford, Virginia. ... MORE

Virginia National Guard helps commemorate 78th anniversary of D-Day
June 14, 2022 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and Virginia National Guard Soldiers, including the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band, participated in the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Allied D-Day invasion of Normandy June 6, 2022, at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. ... MORE

VNG participates in D-Day anniversary events

29th ID Band troops balance Soldier tasks, musical performances in unusually busy year
February 22, 2022 — Between departure ceremonies, a gubernatorial inauguration and other public performances, the Virginia National Guard’s most publicly-visible Soldiers have been busier than usual this training year. The 29th Infantry Division Band, which averages between 35-40 missions per year, has already performed 25 missions since Oct. 1, 2021, and many more are on the way... MORE

29th ID Band Brass Ensemble plays holiday tunes in Roanoke

VNG supports the Inauguration of the 74th Governor of Virginia
January 26, 2022 — More than 200 Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel were on duty Jan. 15, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia, supporting the inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia... MORE

VNG brigade HQs, aviation battalion begin mission to Kosovo
January 12, 2022 — The Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Headquarters officially began federal active duty Jan. 5, 2022, to take responsibility for the NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command-East, and the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division started their mobilization as their aviation task force Jan. 2... MORE

Virginia National Guard to provide support for Governor’s Inauguration
January 10, 2022 — More than 200 Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force personnel will be on duty Jan. 15, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia, supporting the inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia... MORE

Va. National Guard task force begins federal active duty for security mission in Africa
November 27, 2021 — State and federal elected officials and senior military leaders joined families, friends and fellow Soldiers to mark the official start of federal active duty for more than 1,000 Virginia and Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers Nov. 27, 2021, at departure ceremonies in Bedford, Virginia, and Lexington, Kentucky... MORE

Pillion succeeds Gravely as MTC garrison commander
April 20, 2021 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Col. Timothy D. Pillion took command of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett from Col. Paul C. Gravely during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, presided over the traditional exchange of colors symbolizing the transfer of the garrison command from Gravely to Pillion. ... MORE

Col. Timothy D. Pillion takes command of Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett from Col. Paul C. Gravely during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

FASTC officially opens doors at Fort Pickett
November 22, 2019 — FORT PICKETT, Va. — Officials from the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service and the General Services Administration formally opened the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 14, 2019, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Senior leaders from state government, the Virginia National Guard and Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett attended the event, including Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Carlos Hopkins and Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. VNG Soldiers from the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided ceremonial music for the ribbon-cutting. FASTC is now the nation’s largest training facility dedicated to overseas safety and security, and will train about 10,000 personnel from the U.S. foreign affairs community annually, including DSS special agents, security engineers, technicians and couriers, according to a release from the U.S. Department of State... MORE

29th ID Band’s efforts rewarded with ASUA
November 12, 2019 — ROANOKE, Va. — The Virginia National Guard’s Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band received the Army Superior Unit Award streamer from Brig. Gen. Lapthe Flora, VNG Assistant Adjutant General-Army, during a ceremony Nov. 9, 2019, before the Virginia Veterans Parade in Roanoke, Virginia... MORE

Bedford ceremonies mark 75th anniversary of D-Day
June 7, 2019 — BEDFORD, Va. — Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen greeted World War II veterans and acted as military escorts during a roll call honoring their service at the observation of the 75th anniversary of D-Day June 6, 2019, at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band performed ceremonial music, and members of the Virginia Defense Force volunteered their time to assist local law enforcement with traffic flow, parking and pre-security checks before the event... MORE

Top Virginia National Guard units recognized at Virginia Military Ball
April 29, 2019 — NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Virginia National Guard senior leaders recognized the top company-level units in the Virginia Army National Guard and the 192nd Wing of the Virginia Air National Guard for high levels of readiness at the third annual Virginia Military Ball April 27, 2019, in Newport News, Virginia... MORE

AG visits 29th Infantry Division Band
August 14, 2018 — Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, and his wife Cheryl visited the Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band Aug. 12, 2018, to tour the facility and sit in on a rehearsal. Maj. Gen. Williams played tenor saxophone, and Mrs. Williams played trombone... MORE

Ceremonies honor D-Day service, sacrifice on 74th anniversary
June 8, 2018 — Virginia National Guard Soldiers in France and Virginia recognized the 74th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy June 6, 2018, at events that honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day and celebrated those who continued the fight that led to end of World War II. Senior leaders represented the VNG at ceremonies where they placed wreathes on memorials to the fallen, and the Troutville-based 29th Division Band provided ceremonial music at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia... MORE

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